And then there were three ...

Liberty won another two points toward her AKC CH title over the weekend, leaving her three single points remaining to finish. There were seven girls competing. Thank you to handlers Erin Hines and Bill Buell and thank you to Judge Ms. Nikki Riggsbee.

A Second Major Win for Liberty!

Wolfhound entries at the all-breed Santa Barbara Kennel Club shows on Aug. 30 and 31, 2009, were supported by the Irish Wolfhound Club of America. To support the club, we entered.

We had no expectation at all of winning. Yes, honestly! We just wanted to be part of the fun. The day was so hot, we nearly didn't go. But Liberty was keeping cool in the air-conditioning, so off we went. We wanted the fun of showing our beautiful girl to esteemed wolfhound breeder-judge Joel Samaha.

She was the youngest girl there, still considered a puppy, in the 12-18 month-old class. So we didn't think she would be a contender.

We were wrong.

She went Winner's, with 4 girls present, for one point toward her Championship title. We were so thrilled!

It only got better.

The winner's dog had earned two points (there were five dogs). So when we went in the Best of Breed ring we thought we were competing for Best of Winners, two points.

It only got better.

The Winner's Dog beat three male champions to earn Best Opposite Sex to the beautiful Best of Breed winner. Eight dogs! A three-point major for him! Wow!

Then our Liberty beat the Winner's Dog, for Best of Winners.

A three-point major for her!

Thank you to Judge Mr. Joel Samaha. Wow!

Six months

Hunter my dear baby, you are six months old today!

Playing Around

Liberty (left) enjoys playing with her Uncle Blake!

© Pat Murkland

Not sure who is calling "Uncle" ...

© Pat Murkland

Blake (rear) demonstrates a new look

for Wolfhound ears ...

© Pat Murkland

Baby Face

Five months old

Still Growing

© Pat Murkland

Before Hunter turns 6 months, we thought we had better post his five-month-old picture!

The Journey Continues

Liberty's journey toward her AKC championship title continued at the Channel City Kennel Club show over the July 4 holiday weekend. Thank you to Dr. Eric Liebes for awarding her WB and Best of Winners in a tough competition.

She earned another point. 

Thank you to handler Erin Hines!

The tally so far:

3 points, Judge Elliott Weiss.

1 point, Judge Lee Canalizo

1 point, Judge Eugene Blake

1 point, Dr. Eric Liebes.

Liberty is our resident firecracker and she celebrated her first birthday on July 4.

And we're still celebrating!